Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 7, 2026

Optimization of Crystal Growth for Neutron Macromolecular Crystallography
Published on: March 13, 2021
Enhanced Crystal Growth in Binary Lennard-Jones Mixtures
1Max-Planck Institut für Polymerforschung, Ackermannweg 10, D-55128 Mainz, Germany.
Abstract:
We study the crystal growth in binary Lennard-Jones mixtures by molecular dynamics simulations. Growth dynamics, the structure of the liquid-solid interfaces as well as droplet incorporation into the crystal vary with solution properties. For demixed systems we observe a strongly enhanced crystal growth at the cost of enclosed impurities. Furthermore, we find different interface morphologies depending on solubility. We relate our observations to growth mechanisms based on the Gibbs-Thomson effect as well as to predictions of the Kardar-Parisi-Zhang theory in 2+1 dimensions.
Related Concept Videos
Crystal Growth: Principles of Crystallization
Initiating crystallization involves manipulating the concentration of the solute and the temperature of the solution. Since crystal growth occurs when the ratio of concentration and solubility of the solute in the solvent...
Recrystallization: Solid–Solution Equilibria
Imperfections in Crystal Structure: Non-Stoichiometric Defects
Imperfections in Crystal Structure: Stoichiometric Point Defects
Liquid–Solid Solutions
Solution Equilibrium and Saturation

